New Intake Evening 2015

Curriculum Information

Year 6 New Intake Evening – Thursday 2nd July 2015 – 6-30 – 8 pm

Dear Parents/Guardians

Please use the checklist below to ensure you make the most of your visit this evening:

  • You are welcome to tour the exchange, visiting curriculum areas to find out what your son/daughter will be learning in Year 7.
  • Ms Clark and other members of the Senior Leadership Team will address parents at 6-45 / 7.30pm in the Hall. Please check your ticket for the presentation you should attend.
  • There is an opportunity to meet your child’s form teacher – room details are below:

Form / Form Teacher / Room
7N1 / Miss Walker / Mrs Mossop / 29
7N2 / Mrs C Taylor / 35
7N3 / Miss Wright / 31
7N4 / Miss Roberts / 32
7C1 / Mr Moran / 25
7C2 / Miss Watson / 26
7C3 / Miss Patel / Mrs V Taylor / 27
7C4 / Mr Hewitt / 28
  • Please ensure that we have taken an image of your child’s index finger to enable them to use the ParentPay system in September. Please see staff in the restaurant for this to be arranged.
  • Please ensure that all completed documentation and consent forms have been handed in to reception (if not already done so).
  • Please feel free to speak to a member of the learning support team / pastoral team to discuss in more detail any individual needs your child may have (Mrs C Hammond / Mrs C Crosby - in Exchange).
  • If you have any queries regarding the Parent Pay system, or if you require Bus information please see the representative in the Exchange.
  • If you have any queries regarding Uniform please see the Zuttie’s representative.

If you have any other questions or queries please do not hesitate to speak to any member of staff.

We hope you find this evening to be a useful part of the transition process and we look forward to welcoming your child to North Chadderton School in September 2015.

Yours sincerely

Ms J Clark

Headteacher

ASSESSMENT and FEEDBACK at Key Stage 3

What can I expect?

As part of your child’s transition into Year 7, alongside the experience of many new subjects and approaches to learning, your child will also receive regular feedback on their learning and progress. 3 key pieces of work in core subjects and 2 in non-core subjects will be marked in depth every term. Teachers will also acknowledge the work completed between these key pieces.

Marking of and feedback on pupils’ learning and progress at North Chadderton School uses the following approach:

  • what the pupil has done well (What Went Well: WWW);
  • what needs to be improved (Even Better If: EBI);
  • what pupils can do to move their learning on (SHOW ME);
  • where errors or gaps in literacy skills are evident (Marking for Literacy).

The North Chadderton Marking Model


All marking at North Chadderton follows the Effective Marking Cycle. This sets out clear

expectations of marking and ensures that pupils receive effective feedback, which in turn will

help them to progress and improve.

Step 1

•Pupils are given feedback and comments specifically on ‘What Went Well’ when judged

•against the success criteria which may relate to a level or grade (WWW)

Step 2

•Pupils are told how to improve through ‘Even Better If’ (EBI)

Step 3

•Pupils are expected to respond to the comments made by the teacher to ensure that the

•advice given is recognised, and acted upon in a green pen through ‘SHOW ME’. This may

•take the form of redrafting work.

Step 4

•The teacher looks for the improvements in future pieces of work in order to

•evaluate the effectiveness of the marking and ensure that pupils are progressing and improving.

Throughout Year 7, your child will receive feedback on a variety of activities and learning tasks, ranging from short responses or discussions to extended writing tasks and formal assessments. The curriculum at North Chadderton offers a variety of approaches to support pupils in progressing as best they can during their time with us.

HOMEWORK

Homework forms a vital part of the curriculum, enabling pupils to develop independent learning skills, alongside the ability to self-manage. At North Chadderton School, homework forms a part of a rounded curriculum to support progress for all of our learners.

Homework is set in a variety of ways in different subject areas; extended homework projects are encouraged as this approach is an effective way of developing good skills of independence. Homework may range from vocabulary or spelling lists to half-termly extended projects or investigations.

Please encourage your child to complete homework on time, applying their full effort to tasks set. Pupils are actively encouraged to seek help or advice from staff where they a find homework tasks challenging.

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: English

Curriculum Leader: Mr N Angus

Ms S Shah

Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
In Year 7, pupils learn and develop a range of English and Literacy skills. We assess pupils’ learning using Assessment Focuses for Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening.
The topics covered over the course of the Year 7 English curriculum are:
Autumn 1 / Autumn 2 / Spring 1 / Spring 2 / Summer 1 / Summer 2
Year 7 / Culture and Identity
Anita and Me
Poetry from other cultures / Epics and Myths
Beowulf
The Iliad and the Aeneid
Greek Myths
Archetypal characters
Story structures / Star Cross’d Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare’s Sonnets / Exploring War
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Mozart Question
War Horse
The Boy in Striped Pyjamas
Grammar
Year 1 / The parts of speech: verbs, nouns, articles, adjectives, prepositions. Subject-verb agreement. Tense. / The elements of a sentence. Simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences. Listing and bracketing commas. / Topic sentences, paragraphs, introductions and conclusions.
Through these Schemes of Learning, you will practice and develop your reading, writing and speaking and listening skills. Your teacher will set you regular targets to help you to reflect on and improve your skills.
Pupils in Year 7 will also be able to take part in library lessons, Reading and Writing clubs and have opportunities to become a Literacy Leader or School Librarian.
All Year students use Accelerated Reader, which is an independent reading programme which can help pupils to improve their reading skills in a variety of ways.
What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
In order to support your child’s learning in English, we encourage all parents to read with pupils at home. All Year 7 students will be allocated with Reading Passports to help monitor their reading.
gives parents useful information about the Accelerated Reader programme and how it can be used at home.
Pupils are set half-termly homework projects to support their learning in class; this will be recorded in pupil planners. Year 7 also receive fortnightly reading and spelling homework to develop key skills over the course of the year.

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: Mathematics

Curriculum Leader: Ms S Berney

Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
The Key Stage 3 scheme of learning is based on a model of progression which consists of four yearly schemes referred to as Stage 6, 7, 8, and 9. These are designed to be drawn upon as part of two different pathways.
Year / Pathway 1 / Pathway 2
7 / Stage 6 / Stage 7
8 / Stage 7 / Stage 8
9 / Stage 8 / Stage 9
In the first half term you son or daughter will learn about:
  • Number and the number system
  • Calculating and division
  • Visualising and construction…
  • …or Counting and comparing

What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
We use a homework package called MyMaths.
Students have a personalised login to this website and all homework they attempt is recorded. Pupils are required to do at least one MyMaths activity each week set by the class teacher.
We encourage parents to become familiar with this package and have a copy of the login details so that they can check progress throughout the year.
Students can access more lessons, tasks and games, so are not limited to just one task per week. All results are recorded so their class teacher will see the evidence of the extra effort both through the website and in your child’s results!
If your child becomes stuck while attempting any of these activities all the homeworks have an online tutorial. There are also drop-in sessions at school, where students can use the computers and get support from a Maths teacher if needed.
There are lots of resources and links available through the Maths area on the school’s VLE, including a parental support page.

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: Science

Curriculum Leaders: Ms H Kaysor, Mrs A Handley

Curriculum Leader Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
How to be a Scientist – To recognize how to select scientific laboratory equipment, conduct experiments, collect data, process data and draw conclusion.
Biology 1
  1. Cells Tissues, Organs and Organ Systems
  2. Sexual reproduction in animals
  3. Muscles and Bones
  4. Ecosystems
Chemistry 1
  1. Mixtures and Separation
  2. Acids and Bases
  3. The particle model
  4. Atoms, elements and compounds
Physics 1
  1. Energy
  2. Current Electricity
  3. Forces
  4. Sound

What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
Lesson Preparation – Bringing the correct equipment:
  • Pencils
  • Pens
  • Ruler
  • Rubber/ sharpener
Science Club – Pupils can carry out experiments outside of the curriculum
KS3 Science Homework Clinic – To provide help with homework and classwork issues
KS3 Science Revision Sessions– an opportunity to consolidate learning
Online resources –
Pupils will also have an online resource with a personal login that can be used for revision/homework/classwork. This can be accessed at Home and school.
Books – CGP Revision books

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: Art

Curriculum Leader: Mrs. L. Hardman

Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
Pupils are working in rotation on one of three themes and one of three different processes/techniques. The themes are ‘Natural Forms’, ‘India’ and ‘Pop Art’. The different processes/techniques are 3D (cardboard construction), Print (mono-print) and Drawing and painting (wax resist).
What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
Pupils are expected to use the Internet and the school/local library to extend their research on current themes. Pupils are also encouraged to visit local art galleries to build their knowledge and experience of the work of other artists. The art department also offers lunch and after school clubs to enable pupils to further improve their skills. Some basic art equipment (pencil, rubber, sharpener, coloured pencil crayons, a glue stick and a black pen) is helpful for homework activities.

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: Design Technology

Curriculum Leader: Mr K Thomas

Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
Learners will be:
  • Designing, making and testing products.
  • Looking at past and present designers and design movements.
  • Learning about material properties and manufacturing processes.
They will make:
  • A range of food dishes from around the world.
  • A hanging device manufactured using a laser cutter and a range of workshop tools.
  • A phone pocket made from cotton fabric and printed using dye sublimation.

What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
Learners will benefit from:
  • Looking at contemporary designs and products and reasoning why they are successful.
  • Practicing drawing and sketching products that have already been made.
  • Drawing and sketching new solutions to everyday problems.
  • Attempting to work out how things work or are put together.
  • Watching design programmes on TV that highlight current trends.
  • Becoming familiar with kitchen cooking equipment.

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: Geography

Curriculum Leader: Ms R Armitage

Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
Introduction to Geography and Geographical skills.
Look at it this way – looking at landscapes
Moving Stories – Why is the population of the U.K. changing?
City, Past Present and Future – How and why has Manchester changed?
Weather and Fieldwork Skills – To investigate the weather both locally and globally.
What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
In year 7 we focus on developing geographical skills through content that has a local emphasis. We explore connections with other parts of the world through topics like migration and industrial change.
Our biggest challenge in year 7 is developing students’ spatial awareness.
Encouraging your son/daughter to find places on a variety of maps will help them develop this skill. Places you could find could include your house and town on a local Ordnance Survey map. Or you could encourage them to look further afield e.g. holiday destinations or places that are on the news.
Encourage your son/daughter to read or listen to the news as this will help them develop an interest in the world around them. A good place to start with this is with BBC Newsround either on the TV or on the internet.

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: ICT/Computing

Curriculum Leader: Mr R Brown

Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
Autumn Term:
Topic 1: E-Safety – Learning how to use computers safely, effectively and responsibly including keeping ourselves secure when using the internet. This will also touch upon presentation techniques for students to present their findings using Microsoft PowerPoint.
Topic 2: Understanding Computers – Thinking about how computers actually work, including investigating hardware components, software and binary code.
Spring Term:
Topic 3: Spreadsheet Modelling – Using Microsoft Excel to produce financial models using a range of formulae and functions.
Topic 4: Control Systems – Introducing the basics of programming through logical flowcharts using Flowol; a specialist piece of software that uses interactive on-screen simulations.
Summer Term:
Topic 5: Introduction to Visual Programming – Using Kodu to cover the basics of programming such as sequence, repetition and conditional statements. Pupils will get the chance to use this fun programming environment to create 3D gaming worlds and a multitude of programmable objects and characters.
What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
Autumn Term:
Topic 1: Promote safe practice when using the internet e.g. using appropriate security settings on social networks and not talking to those you do not know. Discuss as a family how the internet can be used both positively and negatively. Give access to Microsoft PowerPoint for pupils to practice their presenting and software skills.
Topic 2: Research into Hardware and Software using the Internet, KS3 ICT textbooks and magazines. Try and find out which pieces of hardware are Input devices, which are Output devices and which Process instructions.
Spring Term:
Topic 3: Give access to Microsoft Excel for pupils to practice their software skills. Discuss why we might use spreadsheets and formulae instead of using calculators and paper. Discuss how spreadsheets could be used for the family or in large or small organisations.
Topic 4: Practice writing out everyday tasks (e.g. waking up and going to school) as flowcharts. Which activities are repeated? Which activities require a choice to be made? This will increase pupils’ logical thinking skills.
Summer Term:
Topic 5: Give access to Kodu – this software can be downloaded for free on most PCs and even on the Xbox 360 for pupils to experiment and develop their skills at home. Challenge pupils to create different interactive elements in their game designs.
All year:
Encourage students to attend support sessions at lunchtimes. Ensure homework is completed and handed in on time. Discuss class work by asking students to discuss with you what they have done when they get home.

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: History

Curriculum Leader: Ms L Ricker

Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
Unit on Historical skills focusing on migration to the UK.
The Romans
1066 – The causes, events and consequences of the Battle of Hastings.
Was life the same for everyone in Medieval England?
Case study of the Black Death and the Peasant’s Revolt
Life in Islamic Realms in the Medieval period.
What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
Take a shared interest in events happening in the world today as the study of History will help to explain why they are happening.
Your child could also find out about local History – famous people and events from the Oldham area.
Good History websites:



(your child’s History teacher will be able to give them log in details)

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: Performing Arts

Curriculum Leader: Ms K Berry

Curriculum Leader Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
Students will learn two of the three performing arts disciplines in year 7, Drama and Music. They will have three half terms in each subject.
Drama- Using key acting skills and exploring themes through drama
  • Drama skills through fairy tales
  • Peer Pressure through drama
  • Scripts- Each week students will perform a new script
Music-
  • Elements of Music
  • Notation – both classical and tab
  • Composing a theme and Variations

What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
Drama- Learning lines at home when given scripts.
Using the bite size website to watch clips of different skills – the website is aimed at GCSE but the clips are for KS3 also
Music- Ensure all elements of music are learnt and revised as this is the basis of all listening in music. Practice reading different forms of notation both classical and tab.

New Intake Evening 2015

Subject: Physical Education

Curriculum Leader: Mr P Hewitt

Email:

What will I be learning in Year 7?
Students develop a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas to perform successfully. When they are performing, they think about what they are doing, analyse the situation and make decisions.
They also reflect on their own and others’ performances and find ways to improve them. As a result, they develop the confidence to take part in different physical activities and learn about the value of healthy, active lifestyles.
PE helps pupils develop personally and socially as well as physically. They work as individuals, in groups and in teams, developing concepts of fairness and of personal and social responsibility.
They take on different roles and responsibilities, including leadership, coaching and officiating. Through the range of experiences that we offer, they learn how to be effective in competitive, creative and challenging situations.
What can I do to help my child in this subject during Year 7?
Ensure they have correct kit and equipment for each lesson.
Encourage your child to attend our wide range of extra curricular activities.
Encourage them to lead a healthy active lifestyle.
Encourage your child to practice core physical skills such as throwing and catching at home.

New Intake Evening 2015